Cururu Stingray
Potamotrygon wallacei
(Carvalho, Rosa & Araujo, 2016)
What are they and how big do they get?
The Cururu stingray is a South American freshwater stingray from the Potamotrygon genus and is one of the smallest species available. They naturally occur in the Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil. They are named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who was an English naturalist, anthropologist, geographer, explorer, illustrator and biologist.
Females are typically larger than males and attain a disc size of around 11-13" (28-33cm), whereas males are slightly smaller and attain a disc size of around 10" (25cm).
Cururu stingrays are perhaps still better known as 'Hystrix' rays, and for many years were referred to as P. hystrix. However, the real P. histrix comes from Argentina, and does not appear within the trade. The 'Hystrix' from the Rio Negro that we see today was described as P. wallacei in 2016, clearing up a case of mistaken identity.
What temperature can they be kept at?
Cururu stingrays thrive in captivity when maintained at warmer temperatures of around 28-30c.
Water parameters?
Cururu stingrays must be acclimatised into their new aquarium with water parameters that are similar to the water that they were previously maintained in. This is critical!
Providing that they have been slowly acclimatised into their new home, they are hardy and can thrive in a broad range of parameters.
Cururu stingrays demand good water quality, and to assist with this, weekly water changes of around 50% are mandatory. If you're intermittent with water changes, stingrays are not for you.
What do they eat in captivity and how often should they be fed?
Cururu stingrays pups are obliging when it comes to a captive diet, and from a very early age will readily accept dried foods. Although many brands are suitable, a personal favourite of ours is to feed Hikari sinking carnivore pellets that have been cut into smaller pieces.
Pups can be fed several times a day. We feed ours once in the morning, and once late afternoon, allowing sufficient time for digestion between meals. Allow their stomachs to flatten before offering another feed. Larger juveniles and adults can also be fed several times a day, although some hobbyists choose to offer 'one good feed' a day.
Meaty food items may include bloodworm, earthworm, dendrobaena worm, mussel, prawn and Basa etc.
Dried food items may include a good quality sinking pellet and granules.
Which tankmates are recommended?
Tankmate options are plentiful, but our recommendations include eartheaters (Geophagus spp. and Satanoperca spp.) and disc characins (Metynnis spp., Myleus spp., Myloplus spp. and Mylossoma spp.).
The aquarium?
The aquarium should be spacious and voluminous. The bigger the better. We recommend a minimum footprint of 6ft (182cm) x 3ft (91cm) for a single fish, or larger when looking to house multiple fish.
Many stingray enthusiasts opt for a bare-bottom aquarium, as this can assist with keeping the environment clean. However, dusting of a soft sand will allow the rays to behave naturally and to wallow in the substrate.
Large items of decor such as bogwood may provide areas of refuge, and cover for newly born pups. Be sure to leave plenty of floorspace.
Will they breed in captivity?
Our very own Richard Hardwick (aka Aquaman45) regularly breeds this species, and the ones that we have at Wharf are the descendants from Richard's fantastic group of adults.
Cururu stingrays mature at around 3 years of age, and providing a mature pair is present, breeding is possible. A small breeding group may consist of 1 male with 2 females.
The gestation time is around 180-200 days and it is possible for 6-8 pups to be born, although 3-4 pups are more typical.
Other notes
Cururu stingrays contain either one or 2 venomous stingers on their tail, which are shed periodically. Stingers are made from dentin, the same substance found in human teeth.
Lacking true bones, their body is made up with a cartilaginous skeleton relating them to skates, sharks and chimaeras - the elasmobranchs.
Cururu stingrays are long-lived and have a lifespan that may exceed 30 years. They are a serious consideration for any potential buyer.
Conclusion
Cururu stingrays are small, attractive and easy to feed, deeming them a sensible choice for a life in captivity.
If you're committed to regular maintenance and looking for a fantastic showpiece, then you'll be hard pushed to find anything more impressive than a ray!